Russian Forces Advance in Kostyantynivka
Reports from Ukrainian soldiers indicate that Russian troops have infiltrated Kostyantynivka, a strategically important city in eastern Ukraine, and are attempting to encircle it. Ukrainian military personnel describe the city as effectively a "grey zone," where control is contested. An anonymous Ukrainian drone pilot operating in the area noted the difficulty in dislodging Russian forces once they establish positions behind Ukrainian lines in urban environments.
Kostyantynivka is considered a crucial gateway to the Donbas region. Should it fall, Russian forces could advance toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, Ukraine's remaining strongholds in the east, thereby moving closer to their objective of seizing the entire Donbas.
Contrasting Accounts of the Situation
While Moscow claims rapid advances in Kostyantynivka's southwestern sector and the encirclement of Ukrainian units, Kyiv denies these assertions. Brigadier General Oleksandr Bakulin, commander of Ukraine's 19th Corps, which is responsible for defending the city, maintains that the situation is "under control" and that the enemy has had "no success." However, he acknowledged the presence of approximately 130 Russian soldiers within the city.
A Ukrainian officer, whose unit operates within Kostyantynivka and chose to remain anonymous, suggested to the BBC that the situation on the ground might be more serious than publicly admitted by Ukrainian officials. He stated, "We still have clean-up and assault groups inside the city, but the Russians manage to accumulate more and more soldiers there."
Tactics and Challenges on the Ground
Russian forces are reportedly employing tactics similar to those used in other eastern Ukrainian cities, advancing along flanks to surround Kostyantynivka and disrupt supply routes. The dense urban environment, with buildings offering cover and summer foliage providing additional concealment, allows Russian forces to advance even within areas monitored by Ukrainian drones.
Ukrainian drone pilots are reportedly facing challenges, with Russian counterparts prioritizing the destruction of Ukrainian drone launch sites. A Ukrainian drone pilot noted that while Ukrainian crews target Russian infantry, Russian forces use artillery, multiple rocket launchers, and aviation for similar tasks, allowing their own drone pilots more operational freedom. This dynamic, he explained, contributes to the shifting front line.
The Ukrainian officer in the city described the Russian advance as slow, sometimes moving only 100 meters a day, often crawling to reach the next building.
Logistical Difficulties and Future Outlook
The situation has created significant logistical challenges for Ukrainian forces. Supply routes are frequently targeted, and large logistical drones are often intercepted. The Ukrainian frontline monitoring project DeepState suggests that the fall of Kostyantynivka "is a matter of time," which would complicate logistical operations and make remaining in Kramatorsk "extremely dangerous."
Another Ukrainian soldier fighting in the city reported a lack of necessary reinforcements to cover losses, and commanders' reluctance to report lost positions due to orders to retake them. He stated, "We don't have enough people to hold on to what we still control, let alone organise assaults." The drone pilot emphasized the need for a change in approach, focusing on destroying Russian logistics and targeting their pilots, to halt their advance.
Source: Russian troop build-up threatens city seen as key to seizing Ukraine's Donbas